This page lists self-paced, on-demand professional development opportunities. Those that would count toward the annual six hours of required training to be listed on the LAWINRC Register of Accountability are indicated with an asterisk (*). Other training may also apply. Report your completed training hours to the LAWINRC by using our Report Register of Accountability Training form. 

Nonprofit Leadership and Philanthropy Certificate (NLPC)

This 21-semester-hour program is available online to working professionals who wish to complete the certificate program as non-degree seeking students. Full information about the program is here. Details about how to apply for the certificate only are available here. 

Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines
& The Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center

*So You Want to Start a Nonprofit

There are over 29,000 organizations recognized as tax-exempt entities by the Internal Revenue Service that are chartered in Iowa. Starting a nonprofit is one option you may consider on your journey to impact an issue or challenge identified in a community. A nonprofit is a legal structure and there are requirements that must be upheld. This resource was co-created by the Community Foundation of Greater Des Moines and the Larned A. Waterman Iowa Nonprofit Resource Center. It consists of an approximately two-minute video and three supplementary worksheets that offer an overview of Iowa's nonprofit sector, outline the legal steps to create a charitable nonprofit, and a guide to help users begin their nonprofit journey.

Candid Learning

*Digital Storytelling: How to Engage and Activate Your Supporters Online

In this self-paced course, you will explore how using a simple storytelling framework can enhance the clarity of your organization’s digital communications. You will learn how to craft an effective story, and how to implement a strategic approach to communications by using templates, case studies, and best practices. Register now to begin learning how to effectively engage your supporters online.

  • Qualifies for 4 CFRE points.
  • Estimated time to complete: 4 hrs. 
  • Cost: Free
Tell Your Story: Reach Donors Using Your Free Candid Profile

In this free eLearning course, learn how to claim your nonprofit’s Candid profile and earn Seals of Transparency to amplify your nonprofit’s work and connect with potential supporters.

  • Qualifies for 1 CFRE point
  • Cost: Free
*Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for You? (Self-paced)

Starting a nonprofit can seem terrifically complicated. Is it worth it?  This free, self-paced class, which can be completed in about one hour, can help you decide.

In this session you’ll learn the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit.  You’ll also learn about possible alternatives to starting your own nonprofit that you may not have considered.  Finally, you’ll be introduced to a tool that will help you assess your own readiness to move forward. 

Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

  • Outline the steps required to start a nonprofit
  • Assess the alternatives to starting a nonprofit
  • Complete the nonprofit startup assessment tool to determine where you are in the startup process and identify the next steps you should take
  • Access additional resources to help you in your journey
  • Qualifies for 1 CFRE point

This is a good course for those who are considering or are starting a nonprofit. 

*Is Starting a Nonprofit Right for you? (Video)

Starting a nonprofit can seem terrifically complicated. Is it worth it? Watching this one-hour YouTube video can help you decide. 

In this session you’ll learn the legal and logistical elements necessary to start a successful nonprofit. You’ll also learn about possible alternatives to starting your own nonprofit that you may not have considered. Finally, you’ll be introduced to a tool that will help you assess your own readiness to move forward. 

Upon completion of this course you should be able to:

  • Outline the steps required to start a nonprofit
  • Assess the alternatives to starting a nonprofit
  • Complete the nonprofit startup assessment tool to determine where you are in the startup process and identify the next steps you should take
  • Access additional resources to help you in your journey

Qualifies for 1 CFRE point.

Chronicle of Philanthropy

Steps to Take to Build a Planned Giving Program

Nonprofits that focus on capturing planned gifts can reap big benefits. Bequests totaled $42.7 billion in 2023, and legacy giving is holding steady even as overall donations are dwindling. However, experts say many people don’t include charities in their wills simply because they were never asked. How can you set up a successful planned giving program and steward supporters in meaningful ways? Learn from veteran fundraisers at two organizations that have cracked the code of planned giving in this 75-minute webinar. 

You’ll learn:

  • Key elements of a strong program
  • Proven ways to promote legacy gifts 
  • Tips for creating a successful legacy society

This seminar was originally offered virtually on October 10, 2024.

This session qualifies for 1.25 CFRE credits. 

Cost: $89

How to Measure and Convey Impact

Grant makers and individual donors want to see the lasting impact of their contributions. But at many nonprofits ― especially those with modest budgets — there are no staffers assigned solely to measuring and evaluating results. So, fundraisers, communications professionals, and program staff often must work together to show the difference their organizations make. It can be hard to know which kinds of metrics show progress toward long-term goals, how to capture and analyze data, and how to communicate your impact in ways that are compelling and easy to digest.

This 75-minute webinar is designed for fundraisers and communications professionals to learn how to:

  • Identify key metrics and better use data to show the impact of your work
  • Craft stories about your results to grab donors’ attention and inspire giving
  • Create excellent impact reports — and tools that can help

Guest speakers will share language that works — and language that doesn’t — when talking about impact and real-world examples of reports that hit the mark.

Time: 75 minutes
Cost: $89

DH Leonard Consulting & Grant Writing Services LLC

DH Leonard Consulting and CharityHowTo offer free and low-cost recorded webinars on-demand learning that focuses on grant seeking and grant writing. Click on each title for details. 

*Grant Writing Basics - Learning the Life Cycle

One-hour workshop on the basics of grant writing, including the life cycle of grant-seeking. Presented by Diane H. Leonard, GPC, RST. Cost: $19.99

*10 Tips and Tricks for a Successful Grant Seeking Strategy

Aimed at those who are new to grant writing and those who want to increase their success percentage or write more competitive grant applications. Cost: Free

*How to Supercharge Your Grant Research

Good for new grant seekers, those whose searches are limited to Google, those who have not been proactive in grant seeking, and for those who need help knowing the most important database information on which to focus. Cost: Free

*Finding a Needle in a Haystack: How to Successfully Research Grants

Grant research is more than collecting contact information and deadlines. Learn about funding trends, priority interests, types of support provided, and funders' geographic focus. Cost: $49.99

Internal Revenue Service

*Small to Mid-Size Tax Exempt Organization Workshop

The IRS offers a series of ten, free, on-demand webinars to help nonprofit workers better understand issues surrounding 501(c)(3) organizations such as applying for and maintaining tax-exempt status, an overview of the Form 990, unrelated business income, and more.

Kellogg School of Management, Northwestern University, Evanston, IL

*Nonprofit Management Essentials

Nonprofit Management Essentials is a suite of online resources provided free to nonprofit organizations. The content was designed to build foundational awareness across a broad range of topics that support successful nonprofits.

  • Module 1, short video segments teach you how to structure and facilitate your own cohort learning experience using our NME on-demand video content.
  • Module 2, a DIY facilitation manual includes activities, work sheets and discussion questions for your group.

Mobile Cause

*After the Ask: How to Keep Your Donors Once the Crisis Ends

Your nonprofit has been hard at work dealing with the impact of coronavirus on your community and organization. You’ve likely brought in new donors during this time, but what next? How do you bring them onboard in the right way to create loyalty past the pandemic at hand? Cost: Free

Nonprofit Learning Lab

Webinars from the Nonprofit Learning Lab are offered at no charge from this membership organization, Nonprofit Learning Lab.